Yanks limp into wild-card game without Sabathia

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addresses the media about New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia, who told the club he is checking himself into an alcohol rehabilitation center and therefore will miss the playoffs, before a workout day Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, for Tuesday's American League Wild Card game at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) less

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman addresses the media about New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia, who told the club he is checking himself into an alcohol rehabilitation center and ... more

Photo: Kathy Willens, STF

Image 2 of 2

FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2015 photo, New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia grabs his cap as he leaves the mound during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in New York. Sabathia said through a statement released by the Yankees that he has checked himself into an alcohol rehabilitation center. (AP Photo File/Kathy Willens) less

FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2015 photo, New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia grabs his cap as he leaves the mound during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in New York. Sabathia said through a ... more

Photo: Kathy Willens, STF

Yanks limp into wild-card game without Sabathia

1 / 2

Back to Gallery

NEW YORK - As if a disappointing crawl to the finish line wasn't enough for the slumping Yankees, the Bronx Bombers reeled from a more personal and significant blow Monday.

On the eve of the American League wild-card game against the Astros, the Yankees announced that veteran lefthander CC Sabathia, 35, will miss the postseason to check into a rehabilitation facility for alcohol addiction.

Sabathia informed manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman on Sunday morning that he needed help to combat alcoholism.

"I love baseball, and I love my teammates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series," Sabathia said in a statement released by the Yankees. "It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right.

Translator

To read this article in one of Houston's most-spoken languages, click on the button below.

"I don't believe so," Keuchel said. "We're at their home place. We're at Yankee Stadium. … I think they've had a better season. I really do (even though) until the last, what, week, they lost six out of seven. But they've been there."

Whatever the case, the Yankees aren't exactly playing good baseball.

Losing a veteran leader because of such a difficult personal struggle could prove a distraction for some clubs, but teams in New York are accustomed to playing in a harsh spotlight.

"You play harder tomorrow because you have one of your own family members hurting," said Jackson, the renowned Mr. October who dealt with quite a few distractions during his turbulent stint as a slugger in the Bronx.

Several Yankees were adamant that they will head into the wild card with a win-it-for-CC mentality.

During a team meeting Monday, Girardi asked his players to pray for Sabathia.

"I mean, you have to be a little bit probably more creative," Girardi said. "But it's something I've gotten a lot of practice over the three years of being extremely creative.

"And we've had to do it during the course of this season with the rotation of the relievers, the shuttle between Scranton, the starters that we've had to replace at different times, starters going down and someone stepping in."

Sabathia, a former Cy Young Award winner and six-time All-Star, just finished his seventh season with the Yankees and the 15th of his career.

Sabathia was 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA over 29 starts this season. He wasn't scheduled to pitch in the wild-card game against the Astros, but he was one of the starters the Yankees hoped to have available if they advanced to the AL Division Series against the Kansas City Royals.

"Being an adult means being accountable," the 6-7 lefthander said. "Being a baseball player means that others look up to you. I want my kids - and others who may have become fans of mine over the years - to know that I am not too big of a man to ask for help.

"I want to hold my head up high, have a full heart and be the type of person again that I can be proud of.

"And that's exactly what I am going to do."

Sabathia is set to earn $25 million next season. His contract also has a $25 million club option with a $5 million buyout for 2017.

Another challenge

With or without Sabathia in the dugout, the goal remains the same Tuesday for the Yankees, who will start Masahiro Tanaka (12-7, 3.51).

"The task at hand is win," Cashman said. "Regardless of what's going on, that's our job. That's the intent. We'll figure out the best way possible.

"We're obviously in a new time and place. The season is over. We certainly struggled toward the end, but tomorrow we've got to win, period. In terms of message to the player, CC is loved."